I'm Lo and this is my life in T.O.

The seven year itch

This week marked seven years in Toronto. And seven years of this blog! Which is obviously still a huge priority for me (not! So sorry blog…). To celebrate this anniversary, I thought I’d share some of the biggest highlights of the last seven years. At least the ones I remember. So here it goes:

2010

August 15, 2010 – I packed up my VW Beetle and traveled to younger sister’s place in Ajax. The very next day I started my first job in Toronto. I’m a broken record, but I still believe moving here was one of the best decisions I ever made. I lived in my sister’s guest room for one month.

September 2010 – I moved into my first place in the city. It was a two bedroom apartment in East York and I had a roommate. I didn’t love it. But it was in Toronto! Also in September, older sister got married! And I said goodbye to my VW Beetle… well not really goodbye. I gave the keys to my dad and he’s been driving Chester ever since. Chester is now on it’s last legs and will be donated to charity very soon.

December 2010 – I started online dating… I was too nervous to try it when I lived in London, but when I moved to Toronto I figured I had nothing to lose. I started with e-Harmony and over the years tried it several times along with OK Cupid, Match.com, speed dating, Meet Market Adventures, blind dates and finally Tinder. Fun fact – my friend who joined e-Harmony with me back in 2010 met her future husband right away. They got married in 2013 and just welcomed their second child last week. It took me a little longer to find love.

2011

June 2011 – I moved into my own apartment in midtown and I stayed there for almost five years. Even though it was a basement apartment with very little sunshine, the occasional flood and creepy centipedes, I loved my place. I had three closets all to myself!

July 2011 – I left my first Toronto job (which I did not like) and started a new job (which I really liked). I stayed at this job for 3 and ½ years.

2012

March 2012 – My mom was diagnosed with cancer. She had a couple of surgeries and then a bunch of chemo and was cancer-free by the end of the summer. It’s been five years and she’s doing great! Still annoying the crap out of me… I love you Mama!

March 2014 – I met my future husband (on Tinder) and I finally paid off my student loans. I’m happy to report that I have been debt-free ever since! I’ll try to remember this feeling of freedom after I buy a house in Toronto and I am in debt for the rest of my life.

August 2014 – I went to Europe again! This time with a handsome traveling companion ;).

2015

February 2015 – I left my good job for what seemed like an exciting step up. It wasn’t. I spent much of 2015 complaining about my new job. And gaining weight. Good year!

August 2015 – I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and I got a wand!

2016

January 2016 – I left the job that made me miserable and a week later started my favourite job. I’m still here! Also, we went to Mexico. It was pretty fun.

February 2016 – Andrew and I officially moved in together. We moved out of our separate places and found a palace in the sky! It’s not really a palace, but it’s a pretty nice place that we love and it’s on the 42nd floor. It’s also downtown and within walking distance of my office. We still live there.

2017

January 2017 – I started the web development bootcamp at HackerYou. This was something I’d wanted to do for a while. It was nine weeks of intense learning and coding and I graduated in March. One of the best decisions I ever made.

April 2017 – My nephew was born!

May 2017 – On my birthday, Andrew asked me to marry him! I said yes of course. I can’t recommend enough having a big, fun life event or kick-ass trip planned for your birthday. That way, if you are scared of the age (like say mid-30s… 34), you are still excited for your birthday.

August 2017 – My seven year anniversary with Toronto and my wedding… I’m getting married next week!

It’s really hard to believe it’s been seven years since I moved here. Like I’m only 25, so how is it possible? But a wonderful seven years it has been!